Luke 7:10

KJV

And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they that were sent {G3992}, returning {G5290} to {G1519} the house {G3624}, found {G2147} the servant {G1401} whole {G5198} that had been sick {G770}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the messengers got back to the officer's house, they found the servant in good health.

Berean Standard Bible

And when the messengers returned to the house, they found the servant in good health.

American Standard Version

And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 7:10 brings to a swift and powerful conclusion the narrative of the healing of the centurion's servant, demonstrating the immediate and complete effect of Jesus' word spoken from a distance. The verse highlights the verifiable outcome of Jesus' divine authority, as the messengers, upon returning to the centurion's home, found the servant who had been gravely ill now completely restored to health, confirming the profound impact of faith and the omnipotence of Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic resolution to the preceding narrative in [Luke 7:1-9](/luke/7-1-9 "Luke 7:1-9 - The Centurion's Faith"). The account begins with a Roman centurion, a Gentile, sending Jewish elders to Jesus to plead for his beloved servant, who was at the point of death. The elders earnestly entreated Jesus, emphasizing the centurion's worthiness and his love for the Jewish nation. However, as Jesus approached the house, the centurion sent friends to convey his profound humility and extraordinary faith, stating that he was not worthy for Jesus to enter his home and that Jesus needed only to "say in a word" for the servant to be healed ([Luke 7:6-7](/luke/7-6-7 "Luke 7:6-7 - The Centurion's Humility and Faith")). Jesus, astonished by this level of faith, declared He had not found such great faith, not even in Israel ([Luke 7:9](/luke/7-9 "Luke 7:9 - Jesus Amazed by Faith")). Luke 7:10 then immediately presents the outcome, confirming the efficacy of Jesus' word without delay or physical presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Capernaum, a significant town in Galilee where Jesus often taught and performed miracles. The presence of a Roman centurion, an officer in the Roman army (commanding 100 soldiers), is notable. As a Gentile, he would typically be outside the covenant community of Israel. His act of sending Jewish elders initially, and then friends, demonstrates a respect for Jewish customs and perhaps a desire to avoid causing Jesus ritual impurity by entering a Gentile home. The centurion's understanding of authority, as articulated in [Luke 7:8](/luke/7-8 "Luke 7:8 - The Centurion's Analogy of Authority"), reflects the hierarchical structure of Roman military and civil life, which he applies analogously to Jesus' spiritual authority. This narrative, involving a Gentile, foreshadows the broader inclusion of non-Jews into God's kingdom, a theme prominent in Luke's Gospel and the book of Acts.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel. Foremost is **The Authority and Power of Jesus' Word**, demonstrating that Jesus' command alone is sufficient to effect healing, even from a distance, without physical touch or presence. This highlights His divine omnipotence over sickness and space, echoing other instances of healing through His word, such as the nobleman's son in [John 4:46-54](/john/4-46-54 "John 4:46-54 - Healing of the Royal Official's Son"). Another crucial theme is **Extraordinary Faith**, exemplified by the centurion. His faith, which surpassed any Jesus had encountered among the Israelites, serves as a model of humble, implicit trust in Jesus' divine power and authority. Finally, the narrative underscores **Divine Compassion and Inclusivity**, as Jesus readily responds to the plea of a Gentile, demonstrating His universal love and willingness to extend His grace and healing to all who come to Him in faith, regardless of their ethnic or social standing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent (Greek, _pémpō'_):** From G3992, this word signifies dispatching someone, often on a temporary errand. In this context, it refers to the messengers sent by the centurion to Jesus, highlighting their role as intermediaries in the unfolding miracle and the immediate return that verifies the healing.
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** From G2147, meaning "to find" literally or figuratively, "get," "obtain," "perceive," or "see." Here, it emphasizes the discovery of the servant's healed state upon the messengers' return, confirming the immediate and tangible result of Jesus' distant word and the undeniable reality of the miracle.
* **whole (Greek, _hygiaínō'_):** From G5198, meaning "to have sound health," "be well," or figuratively, "to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine)." This term indicates a complete restoration to perfect health, not merely an improvement or partial recovery. It underscores the miraculous and thorough nature of the healing, signifying a return to a state of complete soundness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they that were sent":** This refers to the delegation of messengers, initially Jewish elders and then friends, whom the centurion dispatched to Jesus to convey his plea and express his remarkable faith and humility. Their role is crucial as witnesses to the before-and-after state of the servant.
* **"returning to the house":** This phrase signifies the completion of their errand to Jesus and their journey back to the centurion's home in Capernaum. The swiftness of their return implies the immediacy of the miracle's effect after Jesus spoke.
* **"found the servant whole":** Upon their arrival, the messengers discovered the servant, who had been at the point of death, was now completely restored to health. This is the conclusive evidence of Jesus' power, demonstrating that His word alone was sufficient to bring about instantaneous and complete healing from a distance.
* **"that had been sick":** This final clause provides a stark contrast to the servant's new state, emphasizing his previous condition of severe illness. It highlights the dramatic transformation and undeniable nature of the miraculous intervention, underscoring the magnitude of Jesus' healing power.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 7:10 employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. The most prominent is **Narrative Economy**, as Luke swiftly moves from Jesus' declaration of astonishment to the immediate outcome, demonstrating the unquestionable efficacy of Jesus' word without lingering on the process of healing. The verse also utilizes **Contrast** by juxtaposing the servant's prior state of severe illness ("had been sick") with his current state of complete restoration ("found the servant whole"), thereby highlighting the miraculous nature of the intervention. Furthermore, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony** in the broader narrative, as the Gentile centurion's faith surpasses that of many in Israel, fulfilling the unexpected inclusion of outsiders into God's saving work. The messengers' return and discovery serve as a powerful **Verification** of Jesus' authority, providing tangible proof of His divine power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 7:10 powerfully affirms the absolute sovereignty of Jesus Christ over sickness, distance, and even life itself. The healing of the centurion's servant without physical touch or presence underscores the divine nature of Jesus' authority, demonstrating that His spoken word carries inherent power to accomplish His will. This event serves as a profound testament to the efficacy of faith, particularly the humble and audacious faith of a Gentile, which Jesus commends above all He had found in Israel. The narrative also highlights God's universal compassion, extending His healing grace beyond the boundaries of ethnic identity, foreshadowing the inclusion of all nations into the kingdom of God.

* [Psalm 107:20](/psalms/107-20 "Psalm 107:20 - God Sends His Word to Heal")
* [Matthew 8:13](/matthew/8-13 "Matthew 8:13 - Jesus Heals the Centurion's Servant")
* [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34-35 "Acts 10:34-35 - God Shows No Partiality")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 7:10 is a profound reminder that Jesus' power is not limited by physical proximity or human limitations. The centurion's faith, which trusted in the authority of Jesus' word alone, resulted in an immediate and complete miracle. For believers today, this passage encourages a deeper trust in the unseen power of Christ. It challenges us to consider whether our faith is as robust and unreserved as the centurion's, believing that Jesus' word is sufficient, even when circumstances seem dire or when we cannot physically perceive His intervention. This narrative invites us to bring our needs, and the needs of those we care for, to Jesus with humble confidence, knowing that His compassion is boundless and His power is absolute. It encourages us to pray with conviction, trusting that God hears and responds to sincere faith, often in ways that transcend our understanding or expectations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the centurion's faith challenge your own understanding of Jesus' authority and power?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust more implicitly in the power of Jesus' word, even when you cannot "see" Him working?**
* **How does the instantaneous and complete healing of the servant encourage you to persist in prayer for difficult situations?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Jesus healing the servant from a distance?**

Answer: The healing from a distance, without Jesus physically present at the centurion's house, powerfully demonstrates Jesus' divine authority and omnipotence. It shows that His power is not limited by physical space or proximity, but that His word alone carries the inherent power to accomplish His will. This echoes the creative power of God's word in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and highlights Jesus' unique status as the Son of God, whose commands are instantly effective across any barrier.

**Why was the centurion's faith so remarkable to Jesus?**

Answer: The centurion's faith was remarkable because he, a Gentile and a Roman officer, understood spiritual authority in a way that many in Israel did not. He recognized that Jesus' word carried the same absolute authority as his own commands did over his soldiers ([Luke 7:8](/luke/7-8 "Luke 7:8 - The Centurion's Analogy of Authority")), and therefore, physical presence was unnecessary. His humility ("I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof" - [Luke 7:6](/luke/7-6 "Luke 7:6 - Centurion's Humility")) combined with his profound trust in Jesus' power astonished Jesus, who declared He had not found such great faith, not even in Israel ([Luke 7:9](/luke/7-9 "Luke 7:9 - Jesus' Amazement at the Centurion's Faith")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 7:10, in its depiction of the centurion's servant being made "whole" by Jesus' distant word, powerfully foreshadows the comprehensive and far-reaching nature of Christ's redemptive work. Just as Jesus' word brought complete physical restoration to the sick servant, so too does His ultimate word—His atoning sacrifice on the cross—bring spiritual wholeness and reconciliation to a humanity gravely ill with sin. The centurion, a Gentile, represents the vast multitude of non-Jews who would be brought into God's kingdom through faith in Christ, demonstrating that salvation is not limited by ethnic background but is universally available to all who believe. This narrative points to Jesus as the ultimate authority over all sickness, sin, and death, whose power extends across all barriers, ultimately conquering the grave and offering eternal life to those who trust in Him, as promised in passages like [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World") and [Romans 10:9-13](/romans/10-9-13 "Romans 10:9-13 - Confession and Salvation"). The instantaneous healing reflects the immediate efficacy of Christ's grace to transform lives and bring about spiritual resurrection, making us "whole" in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 4:50

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

John 4:53

So the father knew that [it was] at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

Matthew 8:13

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Mark 9:23

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.

Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.